Shrock, defense come up big in 18-0 win

The 2001 Junior All-American Football season is now two weeks old, and

the Huntington Beach Junior Midget Dolphins have yet to be scored upon.

The Dolphins’ defense posted its second shutout and the team notched

victory No. 2 in disposing of the Corona Panthers, 18-0, Saturday at

Corona High.

Quarterback/safety Brian Shrock once again led the charge, this time

with three interceptions, one of which was returned for a score. He also

threw a touchdown pass.

Shrock returned the two other interceptions for apparent touchdowns,

but each was nullified by a penalty.

“Brian had an outstanding game,” Dolphins Coach Greg Dies said. “As a

team, I think we have a chance to be very, very good. There’s a long way

to go in the season, though.”

The Dolphins opened the scoring in the first quarter on fullback

Michael Clark’s 16-yard touchdown run. Corona, however, mounted a drive

to the Huntington Beach seven-yard line, but Shrock turned the Panthers

away with an interception two yards deep in the end zone. He then

returned it 100 yards for a touchdown, but a clipping penalty against the

Dolphins put the ball back at the Huntington Beach 41-yard line.

The offense went to work there with big runs by Jeff Van Doornum and

Brian Dies, preceding a 39-yard touchdown pass from Shrock to Taylor

Grosso for a 12-0 lead.

In the second quarter, Shrock had a 71-yard interception return for a

touchdown to make the score 18-0. He appeared to have put the Dolphins on

the scoreboard again with under a minute remaining in the first half with

a 75-yard interception return for yet another touchdown, but it was

nullified by penalty.

The defensive front of Victor Ordonez, Michael Peters, Dies and Clark

dominated the Panther running game and linebackers Grosso, Charlie

Pickle, Dallas Gomez and Shane Keating all had numerous tackles.

Curtis Crandall had an interception to give the Dolphins four on the

day.

The team will play its third consecutive road game Saturday at Hart

Park in Orange against the host West Orange Chiefs.